West Ham sign Razvan Rat

West Ham United have this evening confirmed the capture of Shakhtar Donetsk full back Razvan Rat on a one-year contract.

The left back is a massive coup for the London club, who have wasted no time in planning for next season after Sunday’s 4-2 home victory over Reading.

The Romanian International, who has featured over 80 times for his country, has the option to extend his stay with the club by a further year next summer.

Rat has played the last ten years in the Ukraine for Shakhtar where he has helped the club to numerous league titles, and regular experience in the Champions League.

West Ham manager on the clubs official website confirmed:

“I’m hugely happy that we’ve got a player of his experience and his character”

“He speaks perfect English, which he taught himself, and that shows the discipline and the character of the man. Discipline, character and ability are the three big things in the Premier League, and with a little bit of adjusting, we’ll see him early on in the season giving hopefully his best performances for West Ham.”

The Hammers have also agreed a fee for England International striker Andy Carroll for a fee believed to be around £12 million.